New research published by the Government Equalities Office reveals that the ages of seven and eight are critical in keeping girls motivated to play sport.

Beyond this age, girls become more self-conscious, some lose confidence and many stop taking part in sport.

The study by Women in Sport and the Youth Sport Trust follows research from the Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation which showed that in Year 4 in school, activity levels are similar for boys and girls but by Year 6, girls are doing significantly less and the gap grows in the years that follow.

Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Tim Farron has joined with Home Office Minister Lynne Featherstone and International Development Minister Baroness Northover to announce a manifesto commitment to promote LGBT+ rights across the globe.

Our manifesto plans include a commitment to promote international recognition of same sex marriages and civil partnerships, as part of a comprehensive international LGBT rights strategy that promotes the cause of decriminalising homosexuality in other countries.

Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is launching a new scheme to kick the mental health stigma out of sport.

Nick is being joined by a network of major sports organisations in blowing the whistle on mental health discrimination in sport.

For the first time ever a group of organisations including the Rugby Football Union, the England and Wales Cricket Board and the Football Association will sign a charter committing to removing the stigma and prejudice around mental health from the pitch to the playground.